George Lewis Aitchison ~ son of John and Sarah (Windell) Aitchison

One of the successful business men and influential citizens of Arnolds Park, Dickinson county, is George Lewis Aitchison, president of the Aitchison Lumber Company and mayor of the town. He is a man of great energy and progressive methods, has been an earnest supporter of everything calculated to advance the community, and is eminently deserving of the respect which is accorded him throughout his locality. Mr. Aitchison was born in Hancock county, Iowa, on the 2d of December, 1869, and is a son of John and Sarah (Windell) Aitchison, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Indiana. The father came to the United States at the age of eighteen years, stopping in Indiana, where he spent some years. About 1860 he came to Iowa, settling in Winneshiek county, where he bought a farm, devoting his time to its improvement and cultivation. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted and served until disabled in 1863, when he was discharged and returned home. In 1869 he moved to Hancock county, this state, where he bought a quarter section of land, on which he established his permanent home, living there until his death, in 1877. His widow survived him thirty years, passing away in 1907.

George L. Aitchison attended the district schools and the Forest City public schools, and then took a course of normal training at Decorah Institute. He next engaged in teaching school for five years, and during the last two years of that period and three years following he was also engaged in farming. He then located at Miller and for eight years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1905 he came to Arnolds Park and served three years as manager of the W. W. Johnson Lumber Company, followed by twelve years as manager of the Brandon Lumber Company. In the fall of 1919 he established and incorporated the Aitchison Lumber Company, of which he became president, and during the subsequent years has enjoyed a very satisfactory measure of prosperity.

In 1891 Mr. Aitchison was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Windell, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and they became the parents of six children, of whom three are living: Lisle F., who is manager of the Aitchison Lumber Company, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, a branch of the Arnolds Park Company; Mary Lucile, who is a bookkeeper in the Security National Bank, of Milfords, Iowa; and Clifford Lewis, who is a student in the Arnolds Park high school. Mr. Aitchison is a member of Gloaming Lodge, No. 482, A. F. and A. M., of which he is a past master; Spirit Lake Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M.; and he and his wife and daughter are members of Gloaming Chapter No. 225, Order of the Eastern Star, and the daughter is a member of Calvary Shrine, No. 18, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, at Spirit Lake. Mr. Aitchison has taken an active part in local public affairs, serving as mayor of Arnolds Park in 1914-15-16, and was again elected to that office in 1924 and is still serving. He has given an efficient and satisfactory administration and has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who appreciate his services in behalf of the community welfare.